Americans Cristie Kerr and Lizette Salas are tied for the lead at 10-under par after the third round of the Kia Classic. A group of four players including Anna Nordqvist, Ayako Uehara, Shanshan Feng and Dori Carter are in a tie for fourth and two shots back.

The duo of Kerr and Salas won’t only be battling for the victory this week in Carlsbad but also for the last spot on the American team for the International Crown this summer. Salas must win this week and Kerr would need a third place finish or worse for Salas to move into the fourth spot for the United States.

Kerr is currently ranked No. 12 in the Rolex Rankings and holds the fourth spot on Team USA and Salas is nine spots back at No. 21.

“Coming in this week I didn’t really think that much about it, but now that I’ve been feeling good about my game and feeling confident,” said Salas. “I feel like I have what it takes to move up the ranks and squeeze into that team and to represent my country again, and for the International Crown being its first year and for me to be on that team for its first year, it would mean a lot for me.”

Kerr carded a 2-under 70 on Saturday that included four birdies and two bogeys and a par save of a lifetime on the par 4 18th hole. The 16-time LPGA Tour winner hit her second shot into the greenside water and after taking her drop on the fringe on the green, responded with a 60-foot putt to stay at 10-under.

“That was pretty amazing, it really is one of those moments that you just remember for a lifetime,” said Kerr. “I mean, it’s one in how many that you’re going to make but I was just trying to get it close. Usually that’s when those go in. So pretty amazing.”

Salas, who played alongside Kerr on Saturday and will be paired with her Solheim Cup teammate in the final group on Sunday, had to applaud her on the closing putt.

“Oh, it was great,” said Salas. “I was just laughing because -- that’s Kerr. You can expect nothing but the best from her.”

Salas posted a 3-under 69 that included four birdies and a bogey on the par 4 15th hole. It was her first bogey of the week and cut her streak of 56 consecutive holes without a bogey, going back to the 12th hole in the final round of the JTBC Founders Cup last week in Phoenix. Salas will be holding the lead for the first time in her career through any round heading into Sunday.

The 24-year old from Azusa, Calif. has been in contention several times on Sundays and said she’ll be comfortable in the final group.

“I was one shot out in the Bahamas on Sunday,” said Salas. “I felt great. I felt good. I felt comfortable. I think that’s the most important thing is to feel comfortable in the position you’re in. I don’t think I’ve ever been tied for the lead, but I feel good about my game. I feel good about the way I’m rolling the ball and just got to be a little more aggressive on the par 5s and minimize your mistakes off the tee.”

Salas is still playing for her first career win on Tour and believes having her own cheering section out this week will be an advantage for the University of Southern California alum.

“Just because I don’t have a win, doesn’t mean that I can’t win out here,” said Salas. “And you know, to have my family and my friends and my community come out and wear the tee shirts and cheer me on whether I’m up-and-down, that’s an advantage for me. I mean, that pumps me up and just keep smiling and stay positive.”

Third-round leader Dori Carter shot 2-over 74 but kept herself in contention. The Georgia native is in a tie for third and two shots back.

“Overall, I handled my nerves pretty well,” said Carter. “It’s my first time playing in the final group, so, you know, a lot of positives for today and a lot to remember and take note. So, it was fun and Stacy was great.”

Carter played alongside fellow American and No. 3 Stacy Lewis who bogeyed her final two holes to finish with a 1-over 73. She dropped into a tie for seventh at 7-under par and sits three shots off the lead.

Eagles for a cause
“Wounded Warrior Project® Weekends” is a season-long charity program that will be tied into the Race to the CME Globe. Each Saturday and Sunday at LPGA tournaments, CME Group will donate $1,000 to Wounded Warrior Project® for each eagle that is recorded. This amount will increase to $5,000 for each eagle during the weekend of the CME Group Tour Championship and a formal check will be presented to the Wounded Warrior Project® during the trophy ceremony at the CME Group Tour Championship.

Today, four total eagles were recorded which brings the total money raised this year to $70,000. Through the first five tournaments prior to Kia, $66,000 had been raised.

Team Purple Support
California native Lizette Salas has a ton of support in the stands this week and that support will continue next week in Rancho Mirage when she is closer to her hometown of Azusa, CA. With so many family and friends here this week she will have a nice, low-key distraction before she starts her final round tomorrow in search of her first LPGA championship.

“We’ll probably go out to dinner.” said Salas. “We’ll see what my siblings want to do and my parents.”

Purple weekend is in full effect for Salas. Her mom created new t-shirts this year and her family, junior golf program, their parents and the kids are all wearing the shirts in support this weekend.

“It’s just a reminder of how much I love this game and how much they have supported me throughout the years.” Salas said. “To be in this position coming into Sunday is a good feeling and hopefully they will be happy with the result tomorrow.”

On what her plan is for the day tomorrow, Lizette is going to approach it just like any other day.

“Hopefully I wake up in a good mood.” Salas joked. “Just stay calm and not be rushed and relax and to greet my fans before the round and just be - exact normal me. That’s the reason why I’m here and that’s the reason we are all here is to have fun and win championships.”

Pair of Aces
A pair of hole in ones came on the third hole at Aviara Golf Club on Saturday. Laura Diaz picked up the first with a 50-degree wedge from 89 yards and not even an hour later, P.K. Kongraphan holed out with a 58-degree wedge.

It was the second hole-in-one for Diaz, her first coming in 2001 at the Cup of Noodles Hawaiian Ladies Open. The 2013 U.S. Solheim Cup assistant captain said she was disappointed it wasn’t on a prize hole. She received $10,000 and a 365 day supply of Cup of Noodles which she donated to her local shelter on her first ace.

Kongkraphan is no stranger to hole in ones and said it was her eighth in competition and 13th in her life. The 22-year old from Thailand hit her tee shot 25 feet past the pin but had enough spin to hit the flag stick in and get a rise out of the crowd following her group.

“I wasn’t sure if it wasn’t going in but everyone around was cheering,” said Kongkraphan.

It was her first ace on the LPGA Tour but said she was able to keep her focus throughout the rest of her round. She closed out with one of the low scores of the day, 7-under 65, to move from a tie for 50th into a tie for 11th. She said she’d take the hole in one but pointed out she didn’t walk away with anything more than a 1 on her scorecard.

“I was able to stay calm because it wasn’t my first one,” said Kongkraphan. “And I didn’t get a car!”

Quote of the Day
“I felt pretty good over it. Honestly, I think it was kind of an anti hook swing, which it shouldn’t have been. I didn’t feel it. It was a weird rhythm shot and just kind of I stood up on it and obviously it was the worst shot I could have hit and then it was the best shot I could have hit, so go figure, that’s golf.”
–Third round co-leader Cristie Kerr on the emotional swing at the approach on the 18th today.

Tweet of the Day
“Had dinner Tues night w/ Dori Carter’s caddie saying how great she is to work for. He said ‘she doesn’t realize how good she is’ #shesgood” -@davecstone

CRISTIE KERR, Rolex Rankings No. 12

CRISTIE KERR: I hit two hooks on 17 in a row and that hole owes me tomorrow. That hole owes me tomorrow, big time.

Q. Tell us about 18 and the approach?CRISTIE KERR: I felt pretty good over it. Honestly, I think it was kind of an anti-hook swing, which it shouldn't have been. I didn't feel it. It was a weird rhythm shot and just kind of I stood up on it and obviously it was the worst shot I could have hit and then it was the best shot I could have hit, so go figure, that's golf.

Q. How far was your putt, do you think? CRISTIE KERR: 60-something. It was perfect.

Q. Just talk about the game, mood changer, from what you would have walked off with on 18, probably feeling -- potentially going bogey, bogey?CRISTIE KERR: I don't know. I'm going to talk to Dr. Parent tonight and kind of sort through some things that I was feeling maybe coming in and I'll be right as rain tomorrow.

Q. What were you feeling?CRISTIE KERR: Just not quite as much focus. I don't know, just that's golf. I'll just do better tomorrow. I hit a good short putt on 11 and the thing snapped on me and that was kind of like a momentum killer. Then I hit a bad putt on 14 and then birdied 16, was great and then 17 and 18 -- but can't win on Saturday, so have to go out and do as best I can, take care of my job.

Q. How long was the putt on 16? Didn't you make a big putt? CRISTIE KERR: It must have been like 30. That green usually is really firm and releases. I couldn't hit anything else. Couldn't get hybrid to go over the green, so it was good.

Q. What was your yardage on 18 on your second shot? CRISTIE KERR: Like perfect 8-iron. It was 146 to the pin or something, 47 to the pin, it was perfect. Just messed it up.

Q. And you're just trying to get it close on the putt there?CRISTIE KERR: Yeah, I didn't want to 3-putt.

Q. Are you going to have Team Kerr shirts made? CRISTIE KERR: No. My Team Kerr is my husband and a 16 little pound monster.

Q. Can I ask one question about the International Crown, at the end of this week, teams will be set and we are trying to get an idea of the excitement of representing your team and country? CRISTIE KERR: Yeah, it's great. Obviously I haven't really set my schedule that far ahead but any time you can play for your country, it's amazing.

Q. What a finish, what a final hole to finish off like that, take us through that hole, what an amazing way to come out in the third round?CRISTIE KERR: Yeah, well, I hit a couple hooks in a row on the 17th hole and I guess that was the anti-hook swing. I had hit it very well all day and just kind of hit some bad putts on the back. I'm going to go work on everything when I get done with the interviews and just look forward to tomorrow.

Q. Dip in the water, you come back, you looked obviously a little bit of emotion, it was on the downward side and then you come out with that putt, talk about that finish?CRISTIE KERR: That was pretty amazing, like I just told you, it really is one of those moments that you just remember for a lifetime. I mean, it's one in how many that you're going to make but I was just trying to get it close. Usually that's when those go in. So pretty amazing.

Q. Saw you pointing to the sky; who was that in particularly, somebody watching down on you? CRISTIE KERR: Yeah, just God. He always watches over us. So that was not just me, yeah.

Q. Taking the momentum into tomorrow, clearly that was quite a boost. What's the mentality going into the final round? CRISTIE KERR: I'm just going to keep playing well. Today was the worst that I've scored over the last couple days, and you know, it was good to get in the heat of the battle in the back, and you know, take that feeling into tomorrow. Did a lot right, more right than wrong out there, and I've just got to just take that last putt as a momentum boost and kind of everything is meant to happen.

Q. Obviously in the position, exactly where you want to be, right in the lead, you said you have a new reason to play golf, and Mason Kerr, he's your momentum and your motivation to play; what will it mean to get this first win as a mom? CRISTIE KERR: Technically, we won Kingsmill when we were pregnant last year so I think he's already got one under his belt which makes things a little easier. But it's great to have him on the road. I mean, you just look at him, and when he recognizes you, he smiles and he giggles and he's just so much fun. He's such a good baby. We're so lucky, so it's going to be fun tomorrow.

ANNA NORDQVIST, Rolex Rankings No. 16

Q. After a solid third round, heading into the final round, would you take us through your round a little bit?ANNA NORDQVIST: I started off really solid. I hit it close on 2, 3,4, 5, made birdies there, had a good shot on 6, hit it close on 7, missed, made birdie, 8. So I got off to a really good start. I think the back nine is playing a little tougher but I hang tough and made a silly mistake on 16 but other than that, I'm really happy with my round.

Q. It was a solid round and you put yourself into a great position heading into the final round. Can you take us through what your mind-set will be tonight heading into tomorrow morning? ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah, all you can do is put yourself in a position, hopefully they won't run away too much the last couple holes. I feel like my game is sharpening up and we have a major next week so I'm very excited.

Q. You've made some changes in the last seven, eight months. Has one change stood out over another? ANNA NORDQVIST: No, I think it's a combination. I started working with my caddie in mid July last year, Jason Gilroyed, and we make a really good team and he kept me in a good mood on the course. Changed my equipment, changed my clothes, changed my coach; so there's a lot of things going on, but I feel like it's still a work-in-progress but every day is getting better.

Q. How do you keep from getting overwhelmed with all of those changes? ANNA NORDQVIST: I think at times, these last couple weeks, I try to keep myself in pace and my coach has been really good. They always check in with me and make sure I'm on track. But there's days where I'm hitting better, when I'm doing what I'm supposed to and there's days where I'm going back to the old stuff but today was definitely one of the days going in the right direction so I'm happy.

Q. After your win in Thailand, you talked about the tremendous support of your family and friends, can you talk a little with what they mean to you and how they affect your game. ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah, for me, it's all about being happy. I feel like the last couple months have been much happier and I've been in a good place thanks to my friends and thanks to my family, and I'm fortunate to have people around me that supports me in the daily grind. It's not easy but I'm really happy, they cheer me up and my older brother's kids they make me style every day so I have a lot to smile for and I'm very fortunate to be here with them.

Q. And after the conclusion of this tournament, the International Crown teams will be set. Can you talk about what it's like playing for your team, representing your country, and playing alongside with some other women representing your country?ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah, I'm very happy, I'm very excited. I played a lot with Pernilla and Caroline growing up and we played a lot of team events. Solheim Cup is always going to be different but I'm excited for a new format. I think it's going to be new for everyone and it's going to be a little hit and miss or it's going to be -- you can go for it, and I think that's what makes it really exciting.

LIZETTE SALAS, Rolex Rankings No. 21

LIZETTE SALAS: I just really tried to minimize my mistakes, and today on the front nine, my driver was just on, and with me, if I get my driver just dead center of the fairway that just pumps me up. I hit really good putts out there that weren't dropping and when this poa annua grow, you can't tell how the ball is going to re-I can't being. I just gave it good putts.

I'm really just trying to capitalize on the par 5s. I haven't really taken advantage of them and just trying to get a little closer and just been getting good up-and-downs, as well, too. Just staying patient. That's really my key this week is to stay patient, even though I'm in trouble, like on, for example, 13, where I hit it in the bunker, I just stay patient and knew I can get up-and-down from there. I made bogey on 15, but one bogey out of three days is not a bad thing, and I knew coming down the stretch, I can easily birdie 16, 17.

So I just really tried to hit my targets and hit good putts.

Q. How about giving yourself another chance, you played well here last year; without a win, is it any more pressure, do you think, when you don't have a win yet? LIZETTE SALAS: No, I don't think of that. I don't think of any -- just because I don't have a win, doesn't mean that I can't win out here. And you know, to have my family and my friends and my community come out and wear the tee shirts and cheer me on whether I'm up-and-down, that's an advantage for me. I mean , that pumps me up and just keep smiling and stay positive.

So you know, we'll just see what happens tomorrow and you know, I gave it my best and that's all I can ask for.

Q. Who made the shirts? LIZETTE SALAS: My mom. My mom and my brother-in-law's uncle, so we tried to do something different this year. Last year we had the yellow and this year we are doing the purple.

Q. How many did they make? LIZETTE SALAS: Oh, we made about a hundred of them. They will be out next week, too. We made enough.

Q. How many people do you know that are wearing them?LIZETTE SALAS: I know about 99 percent of them. Yeah, they are all family and friends of mine. So through my junior golf program and family, neighbors, everyone can get a shirt.

Q. What do you think of Kerr's par on the last hole? LIZETTE SALAS: Oh, it was great. I was just laughing because I had -- that's Kerr. You can expect nothing but the best from her. That was a great putt and I was like, okay, let's try to match it, and you know, I just gave it a good run and I gave it a good, solid putt. Just didn't go in. For me, if I get a good stroke in a good spot, that's all you can have control over. If it goes in, it doesn't, just next hole.

Q. Club choice on 16, they were talking on TV a little bit, was it hybrid? What number was it? LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah, it was my 3-hybrid/5-wood. It just give me a better second shot in. One of those halvesy shots are not really my favorite to go to; so if I get more of a full shot in I can get really close. So we just went with that, and it wasn't -- the last two drives, I was pulling them to the left and so I really tried to just give myself -- give me a good number and in play, as well, so that's what we did.

Q. What number did you have? LIZETTE SALAS: I had about 45, still little halvesy, but still better than a 20-something yarder. So maybe tomorrow, we'll hit driver. It all depends on how I'm feeling.

Q. What do you think of this 18th hole? LIZETTE SALAS: I like it. It's weird to the eye, and it's a little intimidating with the stand to the left and the water on the right but if you just get it on the fairway like I have been the last three days and give yourself a good angle to the pin and just get on the green, I think you can 2-putt from anywhere.

These greens are tricky, so have to be on the right plateau.

Q. What do you have planned for tonight with all these people here?LIZETTE SALAS: Just low key. We'll probably go out to dinner. I don't know yet. We'll see what my siblings want to do and my parents, so we'll see.

Q. Being this close to the lead, when do you think you've handled it the best or what will you draw on from the past going into tomorrow? LIZETTE SALAS: I mean, I was one shot out in the Bahamas on Sunday. I felt great. I felt good. I felt comfortable. I think that's the most important thing is to feel comfortable in the position you're in. I don't think I've ever been tied for the lead, but I feel good about my game. I feel good about the way I'm rolling the ball and just got to be a little more aggressive on the par 5s and minimize your mistakes off the tee.

Q. After a great round today, co-leader heading into Sunday, how do you feel?LIZETTE SALAS: I feel great. I felt like I left some putts out there, but I'm still hitting great shots and giving myself opportunities for birdie, and to be in this position, I feel good. I feel comfortable. Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day. We'll just see what happens. I've just got to relax a little more and smile a little more.

You know, another round in the 60s is a good thing, but I still feel like I left some putts out there, but that's golf. You've just got to shake it off.

Q. You have a lot of family here tonight. What do you do tomorrow in preparation for your round? LIZETTE SALAS: I just do the same thing as any other day. You know, hopefully wake up in a good mood. But just stay calm and not be rushed and relaxed and to greet my fans before the round and just be -- exact like normal me and just have my usual warm up, not really focus on anything, just stay relaxed and just try to have fun.

That's the point. That's the reason why I'm here and that's the reason why we're all here is to have fun and to win championships.

Q. There's a lot of purple out there today. Can you tell us a little bit about that group, what is the significance of the purple today? LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah, you know, the purple started a little bit last year when my coach, Jim Gormley, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and purple happened to be the color for that awareness. And so he wasn't able to come out, so every weekend I would wear purple. So he's now cancer-free.

We just kept it going and everyone likes it. So that's the significance of the purple, Team Purple, Purple Weekend, whatever you want to call it that's the significance of it. He's been important to me since day one, so that's the story behind it.

Q. And the purple tee shirts out there, who is that group and what does their support mean to you? LIZETTE SALAS: It started with my mom. My mom's wanted to do something different this year and I chose purple, and so that was a little homework assignment while I was in Asia and she did a fantastic job and my family is wearing them, my junior golf program, their parents, the kids are wearing them. It's just a reminder of how much I love this game and how much they have supported me throughout the years and to be in this position coming into Sunday is a good feeling and hopefully they will be happy with the result tomorrow.

DORI CARTER, Rolex Rankings No. 244

Q. Still right in the hunt, how was playing with Stacy, do you guys know each other pretty well? DORI CARTER: Yeah, it's a fun group.

Q. Anything that stuck out in the round? Anything you need to sharpen up? DORI CARTER: I didn't putt very well today. But I didn't have easy putts today like I did yesterday. I mean, obviously everything fell and today, it didn't, but it was a lot harder out there, and I had a couple miss-reads as I made the turn. I didn't turn very well. It kind of started making me doubt a little bit, so I'm just going to go play a little bit. Ball-striking was fine. Overall, I handled my nerves pretty well. It's my first time playing in the final group, so, you know, a lot of positives for today and a lot to remember and take note. So, it was fun and Stacy was great.

Q. How did you feel this morning? Obviously a little nerves but is it a weird feeling or did it feel the same? DORI CARTER: Yeah, a little bit, but I had a pretty good warm up. It was kind of nice. I moved slow. Took my time and plenty of time to slow down and just kind of go through the day. Yeah, I was nervous, but you need to be a little nervous to play well, to stay attentive and things like that.

Q. What about the tee shot on 18? DORI CARTER: Yeah, that was awesome. I hit a really good tee shot on 18. I had a really good approach shot into 17 and that was a really good confidence boost, especially going into tomorrow, because I didn't just quit today and I didn't get -- I didn't throw up on myself. So I'm still hanging in there and I'm not far from it.

If I get it back tomorrow, you know, it's still a great tournament.

Q. Did you hear from anybody, Twitter, text? DORI CARTER: Yeah, I actually reached out to a good friend of mine, Harris English, he plays on the PGA TOUR and I asked him a couple questions, tried to get some advice. And then my golf coaches all kind of came up to me and they were great.

Actually the Ole Miss head football coach Tweeted me, so that was pretty cool. I just got a lot of support, a lot of people out there that follow me, and they all had great things to say.

Q. What did Harris have to say? DORI CARTER: He's of course won a few times out on the PGA TOUR, and recently, and I just asked him, how did he handle his nerves going into the weekend. He just told me not to change anything and just enjoy the ride, kind of play like you're behind. He's a good friend. I actually text him yesterday myself and asked some advice, but he's a good guy.

And my coaches have been great, and family, you kind of hear from everybody. I almost thought about turning it off because it was like, I have two more days.

Q. Did you speak to Harris? DORI CARTER: I just text -- Harris is a busy guy, and we kind of grew up together. He's from south Georgia, as well. I thought it would be a good idea to reach out to him myself, since he's recently won and would have some good advice from another player.

Q. What did you learn today about yourself? DORI CARTER: Gosh, 18 holes is a long round. It was a long day. Yesterday was much faster, much easier. But I learned that I didn't -- that it's been a long process and you have to really, you know, take it hole-by-hole and breath by breath, and utilize your resources. I tried to rely on my caddie as much as I could to kind of help me get through the day.

You know, I learned that you can't win on Saturday. It's not the final round of the tournament. It's really not that big of a deal. Playing in the final round on Sunday probably is, but there's a lot of golf to be played. I learned that you don't have to putt so much pressure on yourself; it's only Saturday, and I still have to do it tomorrow, and still feel like I didn't -- I was saying earlier, I feel like I didn't give it away today. I didn't play as good. Obviously didn't putt as well, but I'm still -- I still get to play tomorrow and I still get to play close to the final group and have a chance.

Q. What finish would you need to be in Kraft? DORI CARTER: I don't know. I think like probably Top-10. Have to double my earnings that I've already got, so I think that would take maybe a Top 15. Obviously shoot a little higher than that (laughter) and see where I fall.

Q. But that's something you -- and I bring it up, but that's not something that you want to think about tomorrow. DORI CARTER: No, but it's one of my goals for sure. I'd love to play next week. And that would be a good big picture goal to try -- if I get in next week, that means I had a great tournament this week and a great day tomorrow.

But I can't really control that. I can only control what's in front of me at this moment. So I just have to play well tomorrow.

Q. Did Stacy say anything to you?DORI CARTER: I've known Stacy for a long time and it was really comfortable to play with her today. Nothing specific, but she was real supportive; good shot, good save, things like that. We had some laughs and we were able to talk a lot and that kind of calmed me down a little bit. But nothing specific.

Q. So when did you meet Harris exactly?DORI CARTER: Harris and I grew up together. We've known each other for a long time. He's two or three years younger than me, but he's from the south Georgia area like I am and we are probably the only two professional golfers from that area, so you kind of -- he's played my Pro-Am this past year. Harris is just a really, really nice guy. Comes from a great family, his mom and dad are good friends with my parents, and he's a busy guy. I don't bother him too much. I just thought he would be one person I could really reach out to yesterday and he had some great advice.

Q. So I saw you Tweeted, you went to Camp Pendelton? DORI CARTER: I did go yesterday. They asked me to do that earlier in the week and just so happened I played really well yesterday, so even more exciting. But it was a clinic, Austin and I did it yesterday for the families and kind of all the marines that are out at Camp Pendelton. We had a good crowd, maybe 30, 40 people, just an afternoon, hour clinic on the driving range down there.

Q. Did they know you were leading? DORI CARTER: Yeah, I told them. And I mean, so that made it kind of fun, and I was joking around with them, hoping that I had some good shots left because I was trying to, I was second group out yesterday and I was like, I think I've lost all my -- I think my quota is met today.

It was still a lot of fun, and it was kind of a good thing to get my mind off of it a little bit, because you kind of get a better insight on how great our life is and how thankful I am to have people like that to let me play golf. So it was really actually good vibes.

Q. And is that the pin --DORI CARTER: Yeah, they gave it to me on Wednesday and I had it on my hat and they gave me a towel that's a marine towel. And that base, that thing is huge. They have like 55,000 people that are part of that. So it was neat. It was actually a good thing to do, as opposed to sitting in my room responding to everyone. (Laughter).